Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi urged tourism sector to play a bigger role in expanding domestic consumption and promoting the efficient and fast development of national economy.
In a written instruction to the national conference on tourism work, Wu said tourism should be cultivated into an important industry in Chinese economy.
Wu said Chinese tourism industry has witness sustained growth in recent years and scored major steps in the international exchanges.
According to the National Tourism Administration, China is expected to become the world No.1 tourist destination country by 2017.
Wu said next year China would continue to rectify the tourism market order and build up a team of high-qualified professionals in the tourism sector.
(Xinhua News Agency January 19, 2007)